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So, I've been thinking about this a lot lately and I just kinda feel like making a really long post, so I'm gonna test the waters! Isn't it kind of a shame that baseball isn't as popular as most of the other major American sports? Or, is that not even the case?
It seems that the NFL reigns supreme and that basketball is a close second. I was watching some of the Ken Burns documentary on baseball and there was a comment by some writer that really struck me. There is something about watching baseball that gives you the illusion that you have the ability to perform at the same level as the players. I know I can't fucking dunk. When I watch Aaron Rodgers throw a perfect spiral that somehow gets through all the defensive coverage and lands perfectly in the outstretched arms of receiver for a touchdown, I know I can't do that either. As for hockey, I can't even fucking skate. Of course, I know that I can't hit a ball like Schwarber or play the field like Addison Russell. I played baseball as a kid and sucked at it and was fucking terrified of the ball. But when I'm sitting in Wrigley Field and I see Kris Bryant backhand the ball at third base and make a perfect throw to Rizzo for a force out (a relatively routine play for any major league player of course) I really do have the illusion that I could do the same thing. Or when I watch a pitch come in that gets absolutely crushed into the gap I sorta think, at least while I am watching, that in the same situation I would have achieved a similar result. I can't explain exactly why that makes sense to me but I'm wondering if anyone else sorta feels a similar way...
Another great thing about baseball is the pace of the game and duration of the season. It's a three hour long game that involves very little action, absolutely no flow, and is played 162 times a year by every single team. Not to mention, the game comes to you! In football you can build a roster around several superstars at valuable positions and potentially avoid having to deal with any glaring roster inadequacies. After all, the fucking Bears got to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman and the Patriots have never had a legitimate franchise running back during their decade-long dynasty. Of course in basketball a few superstar position players can entirely change the complexion of an organization, like in Cleveland. In baseball you can't do that. Sometimes the ball is gonna be hit to left field and you just have to depend on Schwarber reading the ball correctly. And of course, with two out and the bases loaded in the ninth inning there is just as good of a probability for Rizzo to come to the plate as there is for David Ross.
The incredible display of athleticism showcased in basketball makes it so fun. The frenetic pace of a postseason hockey game makes it without a doubt the best viewing experience in professional sports. And whatever the NFL has makes it really popular and supposedly exciting too! But baseball is really boring in comparison. It's a very pastoral game that doesn't lend itself to analogies about military tactics like with football. But I think that is the charm of it. You actually have to play as a team. Having Bryce Harper doesn't mean you are going to get into the playoffs like it does with wherever the fuck LeBron decides to go.
Basically, it isn't a sexy sport whatsoever. And the idea that it used to be America's past time and therefore it should remain so, because tradition duh, is a really stupid thing to say. I'm not even making a comparison between the sports really. It's actually entirely within reason to claim that I'm not even saying anything at all!!
But, what do you guys think...?
It seems that the NFL reigns supreme and that basketball is a close second. I was watching some of the Ken Burns documentary on baseball and there was a comment by some writer that really struck me. There is something about watching baseball that gives you the illusion that you have the ability to perform at the same level as the players. I know I can't fucking dunk. When I watch Aaron Rodgers throw a perfect spiral that somehow gets through all the defensive coverage and lands perfectly in the outstretched arms of receiver for a touchdown, I know I can't do that either. As for hockey, I can't even fucking skate. Of course, I know that I can't hit a ball like Schwarber or play the field like Addison Russell. I played baseball as a kid and sucked at it and was fucking terrified of the ball. But when I'm sitting in Wrigley Field and I see Kris Bryant backhand the ball at third base and make a perfect throw to Rizzo for a force out (a relatively routine play for any major league player of course) I really do have the illusion that I could do the same thing. Or when I watch a pitch come in that gets absolutely crushed into the gap I sorta think, at least while I am watching, that in the same situation I would have achieved a similar result. I can't explain exactly why that makes sense to me but I'm wondering if anyone else sorta feels a similar way...
Another great thing about baseball is the pace of the game and duration of the season. It's a three hour long game that involves very little action, absolutely no flow, and is played 162 times a year by every single team. Not to mention, the game comes to you! In football you can build a roster around several superstars at valuable positions and potentially avoid having to deal with any glaring roster inadequacies. After all, the fucking Bears got to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman and the Patriots have never had a legitimate franchise running back during their decade-long dynasty. Of course in basketball a few superstar position players can entirely change the complexion of an organization, like in Cleveland. In baseball you can't do that. Sometimes the ball is gonna be hit to left field and you just have to depend on Schwarber reading the ball correctly. And of course, with two out and the bases loaded in the ninth inning there is just as good of a probability for Rizzo to come to the plate as there is for David Ross.
The incredible display of athleticism showcased in basketball makes it so fun. The frenetic pace of a postseason hockey game makes it without a doubt the best viewing experience in professional sports. And whatever the NFL has makes it really popular and supposedly exciting too! But baseball is really boring in comparison. It's a very pastoral game that doesn't lend itself to analogies about military tactics like with football. But I think that is the charm of it. You actually have to play as a team. Having Bryce Harper doesn't mean you are going to get into the playoffs like it does with wherever the fuck LeBron decides to go.
Basically, it isn't a sexy sport whatsoever. And the idea that it used to be America's past time and therefore it should remain so, because tradition duh, is a really stupid thing to say. I'm not even making a comparison between the sports really. It's actually entirely within reason to claim that I'm not even saying anything at all!!
But, what do you guys think...?
